Journal of Human Growth and Development
Print version ISSN 0104-1282
Abstract
CHIARI, Brasilia Maria et al. Unilateral sensorioneural hearing loss and communication disorders. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2012, vol.22, n.1, pp.81-84. ISSN 0104-1282.
The aim of study is to verify the association with oral communication disorders and unilateral sensorioneural hearing loss. Based on a preliminary cross-sectional study including 20 subjects, both females and males between seven and 19 years old (mean 10.8) with varying degrees of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss who attended a speech and language therapy service in São Paulo, Brazil. All patients underwent anamnesis, auditory evaluation, and a standard structured interview to collect information about their language, communication and auditory performance. In general subjects were diagnosed with hearing loss at mean age of 6.3 years. Five (25%) of these subjects had a history of school failure and hearing loss in the left ear. The most common communication disorders reported were associated to oral communication. Language, communication and auditory performance was affected by varying degrees of unilateral hearing loss and comorbidities as lack of attention, irritability and agitation are associated to communication disorders resulting from unilateral hearing loss in this sample.
Keywords : sensorioneural hearing loss; hearing disorders; unilateral; speech and language pathology; communication disorders.